Method, system, mobile device, apparatus and computer program product for validating rights objects

ABSTRACT

A method, system, mobile device, apparatus and computer program product are provided for accurately determining whether one or more rights objects associated with a mobile device are valid. In particular, a secure time source (e.g., DRM clock or time) may be maintained by the mobile device and used to check the validity of the one or more rights objects. In order to ensure that the secure time source or clock remains accurate, the mobile device may update the secure time source by regularly requesting and receiving the DVB-H network time from a DVB-H network entity. Because the DVB-H network time is secure, accurate and readily accessible, it provides an ideal tool for correcting possible drift in the mobile device&#39;s secure time source.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/729,179 filed on Oct. 10, 2017, which is a continuation of Ser. No.14/868,127 filed on Sep. 28, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,807,437, which isa continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/651,652 filed Jan.9, 2007. The above-identified applications are herein incorporated byreference in their entirety.

FIELD

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate, generally, to asecure source of time associated with a mobile device and, inparticular, to a technique for maintaining the accuracy of the securetime source.

BACKGROUND

Digital Rights Management (DRM) refers to a set of methods that ensuresthat certain content and services can only be accessed or used by amobile device operator when the relevant conditions (e.g., accessconditions) have been met. DRM Rights Objects (ROs) are the collectionsof permissions, keys and other attributes that are linked to variousitems of the content and services. These ROs have certain timeconstraints for specifying when the rights are valid, and at certainpoints during the protected content consumption cycle, the ROs will needto be changed. For example, a standard cycle for RO change in IPDatacast systems is one month. (See “IP Datacast over DVB-H: ServicePurchase and Protection (SPP),” DVB Document A1OO, December 2005,available at http://www.dvb-h.org/PDF/a100.tm3455r3.cbms1476.IPDCSPP.pdf.) In current systems, a user may receive two ROs, one for thecurrent month and one for the next month.

In order to determine, therefore, whether a mobile device operator hasthe necessary access rights to particular items of content or of aservice, the mobile device needs to be able to accurately and securelykeep track of time. More specifically, the mobile device needs to beable to accurately know when each RO is no longer valid and, therefore,when to start a new RO.

In many mobile devices, a specific DRM clock, or DRM time, is used tocheck the validity of a user's DRM rights. The DRM clock, or time,represents a secure, non user-changeable time source that measures timein the UTC (Universal Time Coordinated—e.g., zulu or Greenwich Mean Time(GMT)) time scale. One problem associated with this, and generally any,secure time source, however, is that it is susceptible to drift. Inother words, if a clock or time source, such as the DRM time, is notregularly updated, the time provided is likely to drift away from itsoriginally-set time and, therefore, no longer provide the correct time.If the DRM time is wrong or old, a user may be prevented from consumingORM protected content, since the current RO associated with that contentmay no longer be valid, and a new RO may not have been startedappropriately.

One solution to this problem has been to use the NITZ (Network Identityand Time Zone) network time to update the DRM time. However, not alloperators have access to the NITZ time, and one cannot easily determinewhich operators have access and at what locations.

A need, therefore, exists for a way to consistently and accuratelyupdate a secure time source that is associated with a mobile device andmay be used to determine whether a user has rights to certain items ofcontent or of a service.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In general, exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide animprovement over the known prior art by, among other things, providing atechnique for updating the secure, or non user-changeable, time sourceof the mobile device by regularly requesting and receiving the DVB-H(Digital Video Broadcast-Handheld) network time from a DVB-H networkentity. DVB-H, which is the mobile version of the international digitaltelevision (DTV) standard DVB that uses MPEG-2 (Motion Picture ExpertsGroup 2) for video compression and MPEG-2 and Dolby Digital for audio,is a technical specification for bringing broadcast services tobattery-powered handheld receivers. (See ETSI EN 302 304 v.1.1.1“Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB); Transmission System for HandheldTerminals (DVB-H),” November 2004, available athttp://www.dvb-h.org/PDF/DVB-H%20Specification%20-%20En302304.V1.1.1.pdf).The DVB-H network maintains a DVB-H network time that is both accurateand secure and is available to any mobile device that is configured toreceive DVB-H broadcasts and is within a DVB-H signal coverage area. Asa result, the DVB-H network time provides a reliable source of time thatcan be consistently retrieved and used to update the secure time source(e.g., DRM clock or time) of the mobile device this is used for checkingthe validity of one or more rights objects associated with the mobiledevice.

In accordance with one aspect, a method is provided of determiningwhether one or more rights objects associated with a mobile device arevalid. In one exemplary embodiment, the method includes: (1) retrievinga DVB-H (Digital Video Broadcast-Handheld) network time; (2) updating asecure clock maintained on the mobile device based at least in part onthe DVB-H network time; and (3) using the secure clock to determinewhether one or more rights objects associated with the mobile device arevalid.

In one exemplary embodiment, the secure clock may comprise a DigitalRights Management (DRM) clock. In another exemplary embodiment,retrieving a DVB-H network time may involve automatically requesting theDVB-H network time from a DVB-H network entity upon boot up of themobile device.

According to one exemplary embodiment, updating the secure clock basedat least in part on the DVB-H network time may involve determining adifference between the DVB-H network time retrieved and a user-set clockalso maintained on the mobile device; storing the difference in a memoryassociated with the mobile device; and updating the secure clock basedat least in part on the stored difference. The method of this exemplaryembodiment may further include retrieving the DVB-H network time everypredetermined interval of time; determining a new difference between theDVB-H network time retrieved and the user-set clock; comparing the newdifference to the stored difference; and if the new difference differsfrom the stored difference, replacing the stored difference with the newdifference and updating the secure clock based at least in part on thenew difference.

In accordance with another aspect, a system is provided for determiningwhether one or more rights objects associated with a mobile device arevalid. In one exemplary embodiment, the system may include a DVB-H(Digital Video Broadcast-Handheld) network entity and a mobile devicecapable of accessing the DVB-H network entity. The mobile device of thisexemplary embodiment may, in tum, include a secure clock, a processorconfigured to maintain the secure clock, and a memory in communicationwith the processor that stores one or more rights objects associatedwith the mobile device, as well as an application executable by theprocessor. In one exemplary embodiment, the application may beconfigured, upon execution, to: (1) retrieve a DVB-H network time fromthe DVB-H network entity; (2) update the secure clock based at least inpart on the DVB-H network time retrieved; and (3) use the secure clockto determine whether the one or more rights objects are valid.

According to another aspect, a mobile device is provided that isconfigured to determine whether one or more rights objects associatedwith the mobile device are valid. In one exemplary embodiment the mobiledevice includes a secure clock, a processor configured to maintain thesecure clock, and a memory in communication with the processor thatstores an application executable by the processor, wherein theapplication is configured, upon execution, to: (1) retrieve a DVB-H(Digital Video Broadcast-Handheld) network time; (2) update the secureclock based at least in part on the DVB-H network time; and (3) use thesecure clock to determine whether one or more rights objects associatedwith the mobile device are valid.

According to yet another aspect, an apparatus is provided that iscapable of determining whether one or more rights objects associatedwith a mobile device are valid. In one exemplary embodiment, theapparatus may include: (1) means for retrieving a DVB-H (Digital VideoBroadcast-Handheld) network time; (2) means for updating a secure clockmaintained on the mobile device based at least in part on the DVB-Hnetwork time; and (3) means for using the secure clock to determinewhether one or more rights objects associated with the mobile device arevalid.

In accordance with yet another aspect, a computer program product isprovided for determining whether one or more rights objects associatedwith a mobile device are valid. The computer program product contains atleast one computer-readable storage medium having computer-readableprogram code portions stored therein. The computer-readable program codeportions of one exemplary embodiment include: (1) a first executableportion for retrieving a DVB-H (Digital Video Broadcast-Handheld)network time; (2) a second executable portion for updating a secureclock maintained on the mobile device based at least in part on theDVB-H network time; and (3) a third executable portion for using thesecure clock to determine whether one or more rights objects associatedwith the mobile device are valid.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

Having thus described exemplary embodiments of the invention in generalterms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, whichare not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a flow chart illustrating the steps which may be taken inorder to maintain an accurate, secure and non user-changeable timesource or clock for use in validating rights objects in accordance withexemplary embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of one type of system that would benefit fromexemplary embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of an entity capable of operating asa DVB-H server, or similar electronic device, in accordance withexemplary embodiments of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of a mobile device capable ofoperating m accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention now will be describedmore fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, inwhich some, but not all embodiments of the inventions are shown. Indeed,exemplary embodiments of the invention may be embodied in many differentforms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments setforth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that thisdisclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbersrefer to like elements throughout.

Overview:

In general, exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide amethod, system, mobile device, apparatus and computer program productfor accurately determining whether one or more rights objects associatedwith a mobile device are valid. In particular, according to exemplaryembodiments, a secure (i.e., non user-changeable) time source (e.g., DRMclock or time) may be maintained by the mobile device and used to checkthe validity of the one or more rights objects. In order to ensure thatthe secure time source or clock remains accurate, the mobile device mayupdate the secure time source by regularly requesting and receiving theDVB-H network time from a DVB-H network entity. Because the DVB-Hnetwork time is secure, accurate and readily accessible, it provides anideal tool for correcting possible drift in the mobile device's securetime source.

Method of Maintaining an Accurate and Secure Time Source for ValidatingRights Objects

Reference is now made to FIG. 1, which provides a flow chartillustrating the steps or operations which may be taken in order tomaintain, on a mobile device, an accurate and secure (i.e., nonuser-changeable) time source (e.g., DRM clock or time) that can be usedto check the validity of one or more rights objects associated with themobile device. As shown, the process may begin at Step 101, where themobile device is first turned on or booted up. Upon boot-up, the mobiledevice may immediately retrieve the DVB-H network time from the DVB-Hnetwork. (Step 102). In particular, according to one exemplaryembodiment, the mobile device may include means, such as a softwarecomponent, referred to for exemplary purposes only as an IPDC (IPDatacasting) Manager, that is configured, upon boot-up of the mobiledevice, to instruct the mobile device receiver to request and retrievethe DVB-H network time. The mobile device receiver may, in response,request the DVB-H network time from a DVB-H network entity, such as aserver or similar electronic device associated with the DVB-H network,that maintains the DVB-H network time and is capable of being accessedvia a communication network. If the mobile device is within a DVB-Hsignal coverage area, the DVB-H network entity will return the DVB-Htime to the mobile device receiver. In contrast, if the mobile device isoutside a DVB-H signal coverage area, an error message may be returned.If the latter occurs, in one exemplary embodiment, the mobile devicereceiver may repeat its request some predetermined number of times oruntil the DVB-H time is returned.

Assuming that the DVB-H network time was successfully retrieved, theprocess continues to Steps 103 and 104, where the difference between theDVB-H network time and a user-set clock associated with the mobiledevice is determined and stored in a memory associated with the mobiledevice. The stored difference (Δ_(stored)) can then be used, in Step105, to update the DRM clock, or similar secure time source. Inparticular, according to one exemplary embodiment, the differencebetween the secure time source (e.g., DRM clock or time) and theuser-set clock may be determined and compared to the stored difference(Δ_(stored)). If they are not the same (i.e., if the secure time sourcediffers from the user-set clock more or less than the DVB-H network timediffers from the same user-set clock), then the secure time source maybe updated accordingly.

As one or ordinary skill in the art will recognize, the above providesjust one technique that may be used for updating the mobile device'ssecure time source (e.g., DRM clock or time) based on the DVB-H networktime. Other similar techniques may likewise be used without departingfrom the spirit and scope of exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention. In particular, in an alternative embodiment, the retrievedDVB-H network time itself may be stored in memory associated with themobile device and then directly used to update the mobile device'ssecure time source (i.e., rather than calculating and storing thedifference between the DVB-H network time and the user-set clock). Inparticular, when the DVB-H network time is retrieved it may replace thetime associated with the mobile device's secure time source. Oneadvantage, however, to using the difference is that the secure clock maybe updated when, for example, the DVB-H network time is unavailable.

Regardless of how the DVB-H network time is used to update the securetime source of the mobile device in Step 105, in order to ensure thatthe secure time source remains accurate well after boot-up, exemplaryembodiments of the present invention provide for regular updates of thesecure time source based on the DVB-H network time. In particular,according to one exemplary embodiment, the mobile device may beconfigured to continuously retrieve the DVB-H network time after apredetermined interval of time (e.g., 30 min) has passed from the lasttime the DVB-H network time was successfully retrieved. In one exemplaryembodiment, upon boot- up of the mobile device, the IPDCManager,discussed above, may be configured to access a configuration file,referred to herein for exemplary purposes only as IPDC.ini, that islikewise stored in memory on the mobile device in order to retrieve thevalue of the predetermined interval. In this exemplary embodiment, theIPDC.ini file may include this parameter (e.g.,DRMClockUpdateInterval=30 min), along with various other predeterminedparameters associated with IP Datacasting over DVB-H.

Returning to FIG. 1, a loop may be created at Step 106, wherein themobile device continues to ask whether the predetermined interval oftime has passed until the answer is yes (i.e., the mobile device maywait until the predetermined interval of time has passed since the lasttime the DVB-H time was successfully retrieved). Once the interval haspassed, the DVB-H network time is again retrieved, for example in themanner discussed above with regard to Step 102, and the differencebetween the newly retrieved DVB-H network time and the user-set clock(Δ_(new)) may be determined. (Steps 107 and 108, respectively). If thedifference between the newly retrieved DVB-H network time and theuser-set clock (Δ_(new)) differs from the difference stored in themobile device memory (Δ_(stored)), as determined in Step 109, the mobiledevice may replace the stored difference with the calculated difference(i.e., Δ_(stored) becomes Δ_(new)) (Step 110), and return to Step 105,where the mobile device's secure time source (e.g., DRM clock or time)is again updated based on the currently stored difference (Δ_(stored)).If on the other hand, it is determined, in Step 109, that the newdifference (Δ_(new)) is the same as the stored difference (Δ_(stored)),the process may loop back to Step 106, where the mobile device againwaits until another predetermined interval of time has passed. Accordingto one exemplary embodiment, the above process may continue indefinitelyuntil the mobile device is turned off.

While not specifically shown in FIG. 1, at any point in the aboveprocess, it may become necessary to determine the validity of one ormore ROs (i.e., one or more collections of permissions, keys and otherattributes which are linked to items of content or of a service). Asnoted above, in order to do so, the time period during which the RO isvalid must be checked against a secure time source maintained by themobile device (e.g., a DRM clock or time). According to exemplaryembodiments of the present invention, this is now possible by using thesecure time source that has been regularly updated in theabove-described manner based on the DVB-H network time.

Overall System and Mobile Device:

Referring to FIG. 2, an illustration of one type of system that wouldbenefit from exemplary embodiments of the present invention is provided.As shown in FIG. 2, the system can include one or more mobile stationsor devices 10 (configured to perform at least the process describedabove with regard to FIG. 1), each having an antenna 12 for transmittingsignals to and for receiving signals from one or more base stations(BS's) 14. The base station is a part of one or more cellular or mobilenetworks that each includes elements required to operate the network,such as one or more mobile switching centers (MSC) 16. As well known tothose skilled in the art, the mobile network may also be referred to asa Base Station/MSC/Interworking function (BMI). In operation, the MSC iscapable of routing calls, data or the like to and from mobile stationswhen those mobile stations are making and receiving calls, data or thelike. The MSC can also provide a connection to landline trunks whenmobile stations are involved in a call.

The MSC 16 can be coupled to a data network, such as a local areanetwork (LAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), and/or a wide areanetwork (WAN). The MSC can be directly coupled to the data network. Inone typical embodiment, however, the MSC is coupled to a Packet ControlFunction (PCF) 18, and the PCF is coupled to a Packet Data Serving Node(PDSN) 19, which is in turn coupled to a WAN, such as the Internet 20.In turn, devices such as processing elements (e.g., personal computers,server computers or the like) can be coupled to the mobile station ordevice 10 via the Internet. For example, the processing elements caninclude a DVB-H Network Entity 22 (e.g., a server or similar electronicdevice associated with a DVB-H network), from which the DVB-H networktime may be retrieved (as in Steps 102 and 107 of FIG. 1 above), andwhich is discussed in more detail below. As will be appreciated, theprocessing elements can comprise any of a number of processing devices,systems or the like capable of operating in accordance with embodimentsof the present invention.

The BS 14 can also be coupled to a signaling GPRS (General Packet RadioService) support node (SGSN) 30. As known to those skilled in the art,the SGSN is typically capable of performing functions similar to the MSC16 for packet switched services. The SGSN, like the MSC, can be coupledto a data network, such as the Internet 20. The SGSN can be directlycoupled to the data network. In a more typical embodiment, however, theSGSN is coupled to a packet-switched core network, such as a GPRS corenetwork 32. The packet-switched core network is then coupled to anotherGTW, such as a GTW GPRS support node (GGSN) 34, and the GGSN is coupledto the Internet.

Although not every element of every possible network is shown anddescribed herein, it should be appreciated that the mobile station 10may be coupled to one or more of any of a number of different networks.In this regard, mobile network(s) can be capable of supportingcommunication in accordance with any one or more of a number offirst-generation (1G), second-generation (2G), 2.5G and/orthird-generation (3G) mobile communication protocols or the like. Moreparticularly, one or more mobile stations may be coupled to one or morenetworks capable of supporting communication in accordance with 2Gwireless communication protocols IS-136 (TDMA), GSM, and IS-95 (CDMA).Also, for example, one or more of the network(s) can be capable ofsupporting communication in accordance with 2.SG wireless communicationprotocols GPRS, Enhanced Data GSM Environment (EDGE), or the like. Inaddition, for example, one or more of the network(s) can be capable ofsupporting communication in accordance with 3G wireless communicationprotocols such as Universal Mobile Telephone System (UMTS) networkemploying Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) radio accesstechnology. Some narrow-band AMPS (NAMPS), as well as TACS, network(s)may also benefit from embodiments of the present invention, as shoulddual or higher mode mobile stations (e.g., digital/analog orTDMA/CDMA/analog phones).

One or more mobile stations 10 (as well as one or more processingelements, although not shown as such in FIG. 2) can further be coupledto one or more wireless access points (APs) 36. The AP's can beconfigured to communicate with the mobile station in accordance withtechniques such as, for example, radio frequency (RF), Bluetooth (BT),infrared (IrDA) or any of a number of different wireless networkingtechniques, including Wireless LAN (WLAN) techniques. The APs may becoupled to the Internet 20. Like with the MSC 16, the AP's can bedirectly coupled to the Internet. In one embodiment, however, the APsare indirectly coupled to the Internet via a GTW 28. As will beappreciated, by directly or indirectly connecting the mobile stationsand the processing elements (e.g., DVB-H Network Entity 22) and/or anyof a number of other devices to the Internet, whether via the AP's orthe mobile network(s), the mobile stations and processing elements cancommunicate with one another to thereby carry out various functions ofthe respective entities, such as to transmit and/or receive data,content or the like. As used herein, the terms “data,” “content,”“information,” and similar terms may be used interchangeably to refer todata capable of being transmitted, received and/or stored in accordancewith embodiments of the present invention. Thus, use of any such termsshould not be taken to limit the spirit and scope of the presentinvention.

Although not shown in FIG. 2, in addition to or in lieu of coupling themobile stations 10 to one or more processing elements (e.g., a server orsimilar electronic device associated with a DVB-H Network 22) across theInternet 20, one or more such entities may be directly coupled to oneanother. As such, one or more network entities may communicate with oneanother in accordance with, for example, RF, BT, IrDA or any of a numberof different wireline or wireless communication techniques, includingLAN and/or Wireless LAN techniques. Further, the mobile station 10 andthe processing elements can be coupled to one or more electronicdevices, such as printers, digital projectors and/or other multimediacapturing, producing and/or storing devices (e.g., other terminals).

Referring now to FIG. 3, a block diagram of an entity capable ofoperating as a DVB-H Network Server, or similar electronic device, 22 isshown in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Theentity capable of operating as a DVB-H Network Server 22 includesvarious means for performing one or more functions in accordance withexemplary embodiments of the present invention, including those moreparticularly shown and described herein. It should be understood,however, that one or more of the entities may include alternative meansfor performing one or more like functions, without departing from thespirit and scope of the present invention. As shown, the entity capableof operating as a DVB-H Network Server 22 can generally include means,such as a processor 210 connected to a memory 220, for performing orcontrolling the various functions of the entity. The memory can comprisevolatile and/or non-volatile memory, and typically stores content, dataor the like. For example, the memory typically stores contenttransmitted from, and/or received by, the entity. Also for example, thememory typically stores software applications, instructions or the likefor the processor to perform steps associated with operation of theentity in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. In oneexemplary embodiment, the memory 220 may securely store the DVB-Hnetwork time discussed above, wherein upon receiving a request from themobile device receiver for the DVB-H network time, the processor 210 maybe configured to transmit the DVB-H network time stored in memory 220 tothe mobile device.

In addition to the memory 220, the processor 210 can also be connectedto at least one interface or other means for displaying, transmittingand/or receiving data, content or the like. In this regard, theinterface(s) can include at least one communication interface 230 orother means for transmitting and/or receiving data, content or the like,as well as at least one user interface that can include a display 240and/or a user input interface 250. The user input interface, in turn,can comprise any of a number of devices allowing the entity to receivedata from a user, such as a keypad, a touch display, a joystick or otherinput device.

Reference is now made to FIG. 4, which illustrates one type ofelectronic device that would benefit from embodiments of the presentinvention. As shown, the electronic device may be a mobile station ordevice 10, and, in particular, a cellular telephone. It should beunderstood, however, that the mobile station illustrated and hereinafterdescribed is merely illustrative of one type of electronic device thatwould benefit from the present invention and, therefore, should not betaken to limit the scope of the present invention. While severalembodiments of the mobile station 10 are illustrated and will behereinafter described for purposes of example, other types of mobilestations, such as personal digital assistants (PDAs), pagers, laptopcomputers, as well as other types of electronic systems including bothmobile, wireless devices and fixed, wireline devices, can readily employembodiments of the present invention.

The mobile station includes various means for performing one or morefunctions in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention, including those more particularly shown and described herein.For example, the mobile station may include means, such as anapplication stored in memory and executable by a processor, formaintaining a secure time source (e.g., DRM clock or time) and forupdating the secure time source based on the DVB-H network time (e.g.,in the manner described above with regard to FIG. 1). It should beunderstood, however, that one or more of the entities may includealternative means for performing one or more like functions, withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Moreparticularly, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, in addition to an antenna302, the mobile station 10 includes a transmitter 304, a receiver 306,and means, such as a processing device 308, e.g., a processor,controller or the like, that provides signals to and receives signalsfrom the transmitter 304 and receiver 306, respectively. These signalsinclude signaling information in accordance with the air interfacestandard of the applicable cellular system and also user speech and/oruser generated data. In this regard, the mobile station can be capableof operating with one or more air interface standards, communicationprotocols, modulation types, and access types. More particularly, themobile station can be capable of operating in accordance with any of anumber of second-generation (2G), 2.5G and/or third-generation (3G)communication protocols or the like. Further, for example, the mobilestation can be capable of operating in accordance with any of a numberof different wireless networking techniques, including Bluetooth, IEEE802.11 WLAN (or Wi-Fi®), IEEE 802.16 WiMAX, ultra wideband (UWB), andthe like.

It is understood that the processing device 308, such as a processor,controller or other computing device, includes the circuitry requiredfor implementing the video, audio, and logic functions of the mobilestation and is capable of executing application programs forimplementing the functionality discussed herein. For example, theprocessing device may be comprised of various means including a digitalsignal processor device, a microprocessor device, and various analog todigital converters, digital to analog converters, and other supportcircuits. The control and signal processing functions of the mobiledevice are allocated between these devices according to their respectivecapabilities. The processing device 308 thus also includes thefunctionality to convolutionally encode and interleave message and dataprior to modulation and transmission. Further, the processing device 308may include the functionality to operate one or more softwareapplications, which may be stored in memory. For example, the controllermay be capable of operating a connectivity program, such as aconventional Web browser. The connectivity program may then allow themobile station to transmit and receive Web content, such as according toHTTP and/or the Wireless Application Protocol (WAP), for example.

The mobile station may also comprise means such as a user interfaceincluding, for example, a conventional earphone or speaker 310, amicrophone 314, a display 316, all of which are coupled to thecontroller 308. The user input interface, which allows the mobile deviceto receive data, can comprise any of a number of devices allowing themobile device to receive data, such as a keypad 318, a touch display(not shown), a microphone 314, or other input device. In embodimentsincluding a keypad, the keypad can include the conventional numeric(0-9) and related keys (#, *), and other keys used for operating themobile station and may include a full set of alphanumeric keys or set ofkeys that may be activated to provide a full set of alphanumeric keys.Although not shown, the mobile station may include a battery, such as avibrating battery pack, for powering the various circuits that arerequired to operate the mobile station, as well as optionally providingmechanical vibration as a detectable output.

The mobile station can also include means, such as memory including, forexample, a subscriber identity module (SIM) 320, a removable useridentity module (R-UIM) (not shown), or the like, which typically storesinformation elements related to a mobile subscriber. In addition to theSIM, the mobile device can include other memory. In this regard, themobile station can include volatile memory 322, as well as othernon-volatile memory 324, which can be embedded and/or may be removable.For example, the other non-volatile memory may be embedded or removablemultimedia memory cards (MMCs), secure digital (SD) memory cards, MemorySticks, EEPROM, flash memory, hard disk, or the like. The memory canstore any of a number of pieces or amount of information and data usedby the mobile device to implement the functions of the mobile station.For example, the memory can store an identifier, such as aninternational mobile equipment identification (IMEI) code, internationalmobile subscriber identification (IMSI) code, mobile device integratedservices digital network (MSISDN) code, or the like, capable of uniquelyidentifying the mobile device. The memory can also store contentincluding, for example, one or more rights objects associated withcontent or services to be accessed or used by the mobile station, aswell as data associated with both the user-set clock and the secure timesource (e.g., DRM clock or time), discussed above.

The memory may further store computer program code for an applicationand other computer programs. For example, in one embodiment of thepresent invention, the memory may store computer program code forperforming one or more of the steps discussed above with regard toFIG. 1. In particular, the memory may store computer program product forretrieving a DVB-H network time, updating the secure time source orclock based on the DVB-H time (e.g., by determining a difference betweenthe DVB-H network time and the user-set clock of the mobile station),and using the secure time source to determine whether one or more rightsobjects associated with the mobile station are valid. As discussedabove, the computer program code may comprise an IPDCManager softwarecomponent that is configured to perform one or more of the aboveoperations described with regard to FIG. 1, as well as a configurationfile (e.g., IPDC.ini) that stores one or more parameters associated withIPDC over DVB-H including, for example, the predetermined interval oftime after which the DVB-H network time should be retrieved.

The system, method, mobile station, apparatus and computer programproduct of exemplary embodiments of the present invention are primarilydescribed in conjunction with mobile communications applications. Itshould be understood, however, that the system, method, mobile station,apparatus and computer program product of embodiments of the presentinvention can be utilized in conjunction with a variety of otherapplications, both in the mobile communications industries and outsideof the mobile communications industries. For example, the system,method, mobile station, apparatus and computer program product ofexemplary embodiments of the present invention can be utilized inconjunction with wireline and/or wireless network (e.g., Internet)applications.

Conclusion:

As described above and as will be appreciated by one skilled in the art,embodiments of the present invention may be configured as a system,method, mobile station and apparatus. Accordingly, embodiments of thepresent invention may be comprised of various means including entirelyof hardware, entirely of software, or any combination of software andhardware. Furthermore, embodiments of the present invention may take theform of a computer program product on a computer-readable storage mediumhaving computer-readable program instructions (e.g., computer software)embodied in the storage medium. Any suitable computer-readable storagemedium may be utilized including hard disks, CD-ROMs, optical storagedevices, or magnetic storage devices.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described abovewith reference to block diagrams and flowchart illustrations of methods,apparatuses (i.e., systems) and computer program products. It will beunderstood that each block of the block diagrams and flowchartillustrations, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams andflowchart illustrations, respectively, can be implemented by variousmeans including computer program instructions. These computer programinstructions may be loaded onto a general purpose computer, specialpurpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus toproduce a machine, such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer or other programmable data processing apparatus create a meansfor implementing the functions specified in the flowchart block orblocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in acomputer-readable memory that can direct a computer or otherprogrammable data processing apparatus to function in a particularmanner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readablememory produce an article of manufacture including computer-readableinstructions for implementing the function specified in the flowchartblock or blocks. The computer program instructions may also be loadedonto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to causea series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or otherprogrammable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process suchthat the instructions that execute on the computer or other programmableapparatus provide steps for implementing the functions specified in theflowchart block or blocks.

Accordingly, blocks of the block diagrams and flowchart illustrationssupport combinations of means for performing the specified functions,combinations of steps for performing the specified functions and programinstruction means for performing the specified functions. It will alsobe understood that each block of the block diagrams and flowchartillustrations, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams andflowchart illustrations, can be implemented by special purposehardware-based computer systems that perform the specified functions orsteps, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computerinstructions.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forthherein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which theseexemplary embodiments of the invention pertain having the benefit of theteachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associateddrawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the embodiments of theinvention are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosedand that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be includedwithin the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms areemployed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense onlyand not for purposes of limitation.

1. An apparatus for determining whether one or more rights objectsassociated with the apparatus are valid, the apparatus comprising: acommunication interface for transmitting and receiving data; at leastone memory device for storing instructions; a processor communicativelycoupled to the communication interface and the at least one memorydevice, the processor configured to, when executing the instructions,perform the following: retrieve a multimedia network time via thecommunication interface from a network transmitting multimedia; update asecure clock based at least in part on the multimedia network time and auser-set clock, wherein the secure clock is not user-changeable,updating the secure clock comprising: determining a difference betweenthe multimedia network time and the user-set clock, storing thedifference, calculating the secure clock based at least on the storeddifference, re-retrieving the multimedia network time via thecommunication interface at every predetermined interval of time, at eachinterval, re-calculating a new difference between the multimedia networktime and the user-set clock, replacing the stored difference with thenew difference when the new difference differs from the storeddifference, and re-calculating the secure clock based on the new storeddifference; and use the secure clock to determine whether one or morerights objects associated with the apparatus are valid.
 2. The apparatusof claim 1, wherein the secure clock is configured to check whether atime period during with the one or more rights objects is valid.
 3. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the processor, when retrieving themultimedia network time, is further configured to automatically send arequest via the communication interface for the multimedia network timeto a network entity upon boot up of the apparatus.
 4. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the processor, when retrieving the multimedia networktime, is further configured to send a request for the multimedia networktime, via the communication interface to a network entity.
 5. Theapparatus of claim 4, wherein the processor, when executing theinstructions, is further configured to re-send, via the communicationinterface, the request to the network entity for the multimedia networktime in response to an error message indicating that the mobile deviceis outside of a multimedia signal coverage area.
 6. The apparatus ofclaim 5, wherein the processor is configured to re-send the request viathe communication interface for a predetermined number of times.
 7. Theapparatus of claim 5, wherein the processor is configured to re-send therequest via the communication interface until the multimedia networktime is retrieved.